Building relationships with buyers has been a big part of Denis and Jo Howe’s success in the standardbred breeding industry.
“We always follow up and touch base with buyers,” said Denis, who has been taking yearlings to sales for about 20 years after it started out as a hobby.
“We’ve built some good relationships.
“We have made some real good friends after selling horses to them,” he said.
The Howes will be looking to either build on those at the Nutrien Equine Standard Yearling Sale in Sydney on Sunday, February 20.
Their Wagga-based Mataranka Park Standardbreds are taking four lots to the Inglis Riverside Stables at Warwick Farm.
They are hoping to build on the quartet the family offered at last year’s inaugural Nutrien Equine sale in Melbourne, where all four attracted more than $20,000, with an Art Major-Hows The Memory filly going for $41,000.
While Hows The Memory is not represented this time, her dam Distant Memory has a Bettors Delight colt going under the hammer.
Here’s how Dennis Howe sees their lots:
Lot 53 – Sweet Lou US-Custom Franco NZ filly
“She’s athletic and well put together.”
He says she’s not a typical Sweet Lou though in looks.
Many of his progeny inheriting his stand-out white blaze.
“There’s not a white hair on her.”
The filly is a half-sister to four winners, including Invest (Christian Cullen NZ) 6 wins and The Pima Indian (Changeover NZ) 6 wins.
Lot 57 – Bettors Delight US-Distant Memory colt
“He’s a lovely horse – a nice colt.
“He’s not big, but he’s very correct – a lovely horse.”
Distant Memory was one of 14 winners out of Macrandra, including six bred by the Howes.
In her own right Distant Memory won 10 races, including the 2013 group 1 Bathurst Tiara Final and group 1 Vicbred Super Series 2yo final.
Distant Memory has left four winners, including Hows The Memory (Mach Three Ca) 1:150.1, 15 wins, $154,000; listed winner Bench Memories (Somebeachsomewhere US) 1:53.4, 15 wins; Delightful Angel (Bettors Delight) 1:53.5 4 wins; and Something Bettor (Bettors Delight) 1:58.3 3 wins.
Howe said there was a tendency for the family to get better with age.
Lot 60 – Art Major US-Equus Franco NZ colt
“He’s not big, but he’s still a good size.
“He is a nice type and she’s (the mare) has left some big earners.”
This is the Howe’s second foal out of Equus Franco, which has left four winners including Flem N Em NZ (Courage Under Fire NZ) 1:49.6, 61 wins, $980,000; and Glenferrie Bronte NZ (Changeover NZ) 1:51.4, 42 wins, $440,000.
Lot 71 – Art Major US-In Her Memory colt
He’s a cracker. He’s outstanding.
“He’s one of the best Art Majors on type I’ve bred.
“He really catches the eye.
“We have a few people inspecting our lots. Some didn’t have him marked when they came, but went away with a tick on his page.”
He is the third foal out of In Her Memory, which was bred by the Howes and won three races.
He is a half-sister to Secret Smile (Grinfromeartoear US) 1:53.4, 17 wins, $84,000.
Yearlings will all be on site this afternoon with our Yearling Parade starting at 6pm on site.
If you would like more information on the sale please contact Mark Barton 0419 488 256.
Online Catalogues links below